CSU vs. Whittier College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Whittier College in Whittier, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Whittier College is in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Whittier College 8:1.

CSU vs. Whittier College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Whittier College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than Whittier College ($14,630 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 3.4% lower than at Whittier College ($16,500 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 506.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $42,878 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.7% higher at Whittier College than at California State University Chico (about $30,278 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at California State University Chico (99% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 214.3% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($36,176 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. Whittier College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Whittier College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Whittier College and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 170 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming Whittier College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Whittier College 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Whittier College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 5.4% at Whittier College.

CSU vs. Whittier College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Whittier College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Whittier College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($175 vs. $263).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Whittier College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.